Chapter 2 Summary

Nervous feelings go with public speaking like cookies and milk or fries and ketchup. Public speaking anxiety results from natural, biological reactions. Instead of seeking to get rid of nerves and anxiety, speakers need to welcome this fear as a source of energy, reframing the opportunity to share news and information with anticipation, rather than dread. Most speakers easily accomplish this through redirecting their focus on the message and how the audience receives the message, as well as eliminating all sources of uncertainty through careful planning, preparation, and practice. Redirect anxiety into useful energy, which will lead to a more mindful, authentic speech delivery that connects with audiences on a deeper, more engaging level.